I feel a need to educate you on choosing a breeder from which your next GSP puppy will come from. First and foremost choose a breeder that does health testing on BOTH parents! The SIRE and the DAM! And ask for PROOF! Don't just take their word for it when they say YES... 'we health test'! Below is a list of the required heatlh testing for GSP's as per the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America. I did a copy and paste directly from their website. NOTE: Although the Lupoid Dermatosis (LD) test is "optional' would YOU want to buy a puppy with the possibilty of coming down with Lupus? Make sure you buy from a breeder with proof that they did the LD test! Just sayin'!

The GSPCA encourages our members to participate in the CHIC program. The Canine Health Information Center, also known as CHIC, is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

Effective May 1, 2014 the REQUIRED tests are:

Cardiac: Exam (auscultation or echo) by a Board Certified Cardiologist at the Minimum age of 24 months, with results posted to the OFA site. The age of 24 months is a change to this requirement. In addition, the exam must now be performed only by a board certified cardiologist.

Hip Dysplasia: OFA Evaluation at Minimum age of 24 months or PennHIP.

Elbow Dysplasia: OFA Evaluation at Minimum age of 24 months. This is a new requirement based on the rising incidence of elbow dysplasia in all sporting breeds including GSPs. Previously elbow dysplasia had been an optional test. Elbow Dysplasia is a crippling hereditary disease.

Eye Exam: Eye examination by a Board Certified ACVO Ophthalmologist annually until Age 6. Results registered with OFA. There is no recommended age to start as long as the eyes are open.

Cone Degeneration: Optigen test results registered with the OFA. Only one subsequent generation of two CD tested dogs may be cleared by parentage. The following generation will have to be tested.

OPTIONAL TESTS

Autoimmune thyroiditis: Evaluation by an OFA approved laboratory with results posted to the OFA site. It is recommended that the test be repeated every two years.

Von Willebrands Disease: Clearance using the vWD Type 2 genetic test from an OFA approved lab. (Genetic Test) Results to be posted to the OFA site.

A special note about Lupoid Dermatosis (LD). In June 2013 the GSPCA Board of Directors reviewed information from a retest of dogs previously tested for LD by cheek swab. Because some of the different results obtained from the blood sample retest have not been explained and because the results of the LD research have not been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, the Board has taken a neutral position on this test at this time. Breeders need to consult with PennGen at the University of Pennsylvania to determine the usefulness of this test for their breeding programs.

(See the 'Members Section' of the GSPCA web site for more information.)

*Note – In addition to the breed specific requirements above, a CHIC requirement across all participating breeds is that the dog must be permanently identified via microchip or tattoo in order to qualify for a CHIC number.

The reservation list below is for two litters. Please note that Keystone Gun Dogs reserves the first 4 (or 5) pups in in any litter for NAVHDA members. This is so that I can nominate that litter for a NAVHDA breeder's award. At least 4 pups from the same litter need to be tested to be eligible for the breeder's award.

*** PLEASE NOTE THAT STARTING WITH LITTERS IN 2019 THE PRICE OF THE PUPS WILL BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED. THE INCREASE IS DUE TO THE RISE IN COST OF DOG FOOD, VET BILLS, HEALTH SCREENINGS, ENTRY FEES IN DOG SHOWS AND HUNT TESTS NOT TO MENTION NAVHDA TRAINING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. I WILL CONTINUE TO BREED TO IMPROVE THE GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF DOG POSSIBLE! ALL OF MY PUPS HAVE A LIFETIME GUARANTEE AGAINST GENETIC DEFECTS. 2018 WILL BE MY 36TH YEAR OF BREEDING AND TRAINING GSP'S.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT SINCE I'M A LIFETIME MEMBER OF NAVHDA AND I NOMINATE MY LITTERS FOR NAVHDA BREEDER AWARDS I ALWAYS RESERVE THE FIRST FOUR OR FIVE PUPS FOR CURRENT NAVHDA MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.

KIMBER X BREW LITTER planned for April/May... ready to go at 8 weeks of age (June/July).

If I don't have enough NAVHDA homes for this litter then everyone will move up on the list.

10. Dan M. (female) NAVHDA

11. Marc & Paula (female) NAVHDA

12. reserved for active NAVHDA home.

13. reserved for active NAVHDA home.

14. Rebecca (male)

15. David & Dana (female)

16. Gary (female)

IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PUPS FOR EVERYONE THAT IS CURRENTLY ON MY RESERVATION LIST THEN THEY WILL BE MOVED TO MY 2019 LITTER OR DEPOSITS WILL BE RETURNED IF THEY SO CHOOSE. AT THIS TIME I'M NOT ACCEPTING ANY MORE DEPOSITS FOR ANY OF MY LITTERS. PLEASE CONTACT ME AFTER AUGUST FOR MY PLANNED 2019 LITTER. or CHECK BACK AFTER MAY/JUNE TO SEE HOW MANY PUPS WERE IN THE LITTER. THANK YOU.

3. You can request a puppy application by sending an email to keystonegundogs@yahoo.com

4. Approval of application

5. Deposit in order to place your name on the reservation list.

*For a quick response please send us an email.

About the selection process:

1. Pups are chosen in the order that deposits are received. (no exceptions)

2. I will help you in your process of choosing your puppy. (i.e.; personality of pup, etc.)

3. If you need Keystone Gun Dogs to keep your pup beyond your appointed pick up day the charge is $65. per day (not including any additional vet costs).

4. You will receive a pick up day and time. If you cannot make that day/time you may need to forfeit that spot on the reservation list and allow the next person or persons to move ahead of you.

5. Keystone Gun Dogs retains the right to refuse to sell a puppy to anyone at anytime for the best interest of the puppy.

PLEASE KNOW THAT KEYSTONE GUN DOGS CAREFULLY SCREENS POTENTIAL PUPPY OWNERS. GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTERS MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT BREED FOR YOU OR YOUR FAMILY AND WE RETAIN THE RIGHT TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER A DIFFERENT BREED OF DOG. OUR BREEDING PROGRAM OF OVER 35 YEARS HAS PROVEN TO PRODUCE TRUE VERSATILE POINTERS. PLEASE KNOW THAT EVEN IF YOU GET THE 'LAST' PUP YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY WITH THAT PUPPY. QUITE OFTEN THE LAST PUP ENDS UP BEING THE BEST PUP!

Please note: Before bringing home your new puppy please make sure you have all of your puppy supplies bought ahead of time! (i.e; food, crate, toys, bed, treats, etc.) You should NOT be stopping on your way home to buy the necessary items! You want to get your puppy home and settled in asap! This will help reduce stress on the puppy. Limit your outings with a new pup to reduce unnecessary stress. Stress on a puppy can cause diarrhea.

We strive to place our puppies in appropriate homes and the information given will help to ensure you receive a puppy to your liking. When we receive your application we will call you to go over any questions you may have for us and questions we may have for you. There are no wrong or right answers to the application. This is just for us to get to know you better. Please click on the "Contact Us" page for more information. For the best interest of our puppies, Keystone Gun Dogs retains the right to refuse to sell a puppy to anyone at anytime. We strive to place our pups in appropriate homes. Thank you!

(Photo above is from a previous litter) The photo above shows the pups in their exercise pen which

is attached to an old whelping box. In the whelping box are pine shavings. This is where the pups

go to "do their business". They have a clean area to eat and play and they use their box to soil in.

In one corner of the pen is a heating pad (under the green towel closest to the box) and a heat lamp

attached to the side of the pen. The pups are whelped in my laundry room in a much larger whelping box.

The laundry room has no windows and is draft-free and warm. The pups are moved into

the living room at about 3 weeks of age to continue being socialized. Here they can

hear the TV and everyday noises such as the vacuum cleaner, radio, telephone etc.

Plus my other dogs and myself are in easy view of the pups.

Please note:

Keystone Gun Dogs does not require any puppy buyer to select which puppy they want until the day you come to choose your puppy which is when the pups are 8 weeks old. This way you will get a much better idea of your puppies personality, temperament and pointing style on the pheasant wing. We prefer that you do not choose your puppy for its color and markings alone. When you come to select your pup please play and spend time with the pup to determine which puppy's personality will best suit your family.

In some ways, choosing between male and female dogs is a matter of personal preference. However, there are some characteristics which are common in females and other characteristics which are common in male dogs. It is important to evaluate these characteristics and determine which gender would fit in best with your home situation when you choose a puppy. Additionally, choosing between male and female dogs is important if you already have another female or male dog and are choosing an additional dog. The information below will serve as a guide for dog genders and will list a few characteristics of females, a few characteristics of male dogs, and how to choose between male and female dogs when considering a second or third dog.

The following characteristics often apply to females:

Independent - Females tend to want to be in control of the entire situation. They may come to their owner when they are seeking affection but will often move away when they have had enough.

Stubborn - In many packs, a female is typically the Alpha dog. Female dogs crave more control of situations and are quick to respond to perceived challenges with fierceness. This is not to say that males are not stubborn also.

Territorial - Female dogs mark in the same way male dogs do. A spayed female may continue to mark for her entire lifetime regardless of when she is spayed while most males will cease marking behaviors shortly after they are neutered and the testosterone levels subside.

Reserved - Females are generally a little less affectionate and friendly than male dogs. This characteristic is noticeable in puppies and becomes more pronounced with age.

Changes in Mood or Behavior - It is also important to note that if you do not spay your female, she will come into heat at approximately one year of age and approximately every six months thereafter. During this time, there will be some bleeding as well as a change in mood or behavior. Keep this in mind when you make the decision of whether or not to spay her.

The following characteristics often apply to male dogs:

Affectionate - Male dogs are typically more affectionate than females. They tend to crave attention from their owners more than females and as a result, display more affectionate behaviors.

Exuberant - A male dog is also more likely to be fun-loving and outgoing throughout his lifetime than a female. While a female tends to become more reserved as she ages, a male dog maintains a more puppy-like exuberance throughout his lifetime.

Food-Motivated - Males are often very motivated by food. This food motivation can make training extremely easy as treats can be used to lure and reward a dog to display desired behaviors.

Attentive - While females tend to be more independent, males tend to be more focused on their human companions. They want to always be close to the human and are very eager to please.

Aggressive Behaviors - It is also important to note that intact males may display aggressive dog behaviors toward other males or exhibit marking behaviors. Additionally, intact males should be kept away from females in heat unless a breeding is planned.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: WE HAVE BEEN RAISING AND TRAINING GSP'S FOR OVER 33 YEARS. WE HAVE HAD MANY FEMALES THAT ARE HIGHLY FOOD-MOTIVATED AND MALES THAT HAVE BEEN VERY STUBBORN. PLEASE USE THE ABOVE INFORMATION AS A GUIDE AND NOT AN OVERALL EVALUATION OF EITHER GENDER.

Dog owners who are adding an additional dog to their home should carefully consider the ramifications of adding a dog of either sex. This is important because the makeup of the existing pack may be more accepting to either a male or a female dog. The following are general tips for selecting the gender of a second dog.

If you already have a male or a female, a dog of the opposite sex is generally the best choice. Dogs of the same sex are more likely to fight than dogs of the opposite sex.

If you already have a male dog, he is likely to be more accepting of a female and you are likely to have fewer dominance issues if you add a female to the pack. However, if you opt to add another male to the pack, they can peacefully co-exist and may even become friends. It is important to closely monitor their interactions early on to ensure aggressive behaviors do not become common.

If you already have a female dog, she is likely to be more accepting of a male. Most males tend to be submissive. If he does not challenge your resident female, she is not likely to have a reason to fight with him. Adding a female dog to the pack, however, may result in complications. The worst combination of dogs is two females because they are more likely to fight than a male and a female or two males. However, many dog owners have two or more females that live together without problems. As long as there is an established Alpha dog and the other females know their place in the pack, there will not be dominance struggles often, although they may still occur.

Selecting a male or female dog is largely a matter of personal preference. The above characteristics are generalizations, and it is certainly possible to purchase or adopt a female puppy who displays male characteristics or a male puppy who displays the typical female characteristics. Additionally, females that are spayed and dogs that are neutered often do not have the gender-specific problems associated with their sex such as coming into heat or marking.

So, if you're asking yourself, "What dog should I get?", make sure to consider the dogs you already have and the gender that goes best with your lifestyle. When you find a dog, monitor his or her behavior carefully and consider how it will match up with your male or female dog at home.

Keystone Gun Dogs reserves the right to refuse to sell a puppy to anyone at anytime for the best interest of the puppy.